WINNERS: Paul Freier – This man doesn’t like any kind of show. He concentrates on the essential and this with growing success. The development of Paul Freier (23) is as fast as his tricks on the right wing, he is playing as constant as his team mater Thomas Christiansen scores. First promotion, great performances in the club, then being called up to the national team – an end of this high flight is not in sight. Arne Friedrich – At the beginning of this season Arne Friedrich (23) was considered a nobody with some talent. At halftime of the season, that seems to be made for him, the defender counts as top brand. With good positioning and good behaviour in one on one situations, with quickness and not assumed offence qualities he immediately became a top performer in Berlin – and national player. Kevin Kuranyi – Nobody had him on the bill before this season. Amateurs or pro team? Or transfer list? None of these options. Kevin Kuranyi (20) showed strong performances – and especially scored many goals. Dundee injured, Ganea not constant – so the attacker shot Stuttgart almost alone into the UEFA Cup and also in a top position of the Bundesliga. Today he counts as big forward hope of the national team. Benjamin Lauth – He didn’t appear out of the nothing. In several DFB selections Benjamin Lauth (21) set his marks. In the Bundesliga this happened in the first half of this season. Six time with the right, once with the left foot, twice with the head: a total of nine times he defeated the opponents’ goalies. Crucial game for his rise was the game against Schalke (matchday 9) when top striker Martin Max was recovered from the injury. But Peter Pacult trusted in the youngster despite of five scoreless games – he said thank you and with scoring two goals and had self-confidence from this point on. Hanno Balitsch – What a rise: two years ago 2.Bundesliga with Mannheim. Then Bundesliga with Köln. Now Champions League in Leverkusen – against Manchester, Barcelona or Milan. “A dream”, says Hanno Balitsch (21). The reward: he’ll be national player. Fredi Bobic – The loan to Hannover caused the quick rise of Fredi Bobic (31). Not in Dortmund’s roster, soon afterwards Germany’s striker number one against Holland. Sasa Ciric – In the morning the knees and the back of “Soccer-Grandpa” – as Sasa Ciric (34) calls himself – hurt. Nürnberg is laughing about it, the rest of the league isn’t: he scored ten goals for his beloved club – and now extended his contract until 2004. Thomas Linke – Okay, he might have had a WC bonus. But this alone was not the reason why Thomas Linke (32) only missed one game of Bayern in this half of the season. Strong in one on one situations, good positioning – this makes him the best rated field player of the league. LOSERS Jörg Albertz – As “lost son” he was welcomed in Hamburg. 18 months after his return from Glasgow nothing remained of the hype about “Ali The Hammer”. Jörg Albertz (31) got the permission to leave as a free transfer. Interested teams: none. Benjamin Auer – From Gladbach to Mainz. A small step back was thought to be the boost for his career. Without success yet. Problems with the system, no goals, no starting spot. The status as biggest forward hope is lost for Benjamin Auer (21) – these are Kuranyi and Lauth, his partners in the U21. Dieter Frey – It was no surprise that his colleague elected him to be team captain. But it was a surprise that he didn’t find his shape. The bench was the regular spot for Dieter Frey (30) with the worst moment when he came in against Berlin and caused the loss with a mistake. Since that moment he didn’t play a further second. Luizao – The World Champion, used to the sweet feeling of goals, came overweight to Berlin. He never was big in business though. When the glance of the transfer faded it was clear: Luizao (27) needs time until he gets along. Much time. Vasile Miriuta – Four years Vasile Miriuta (34) was head of the team and darling of the fans. A master of passing, standards, assists and goals. Cottbus’ third Bundesliga season turned out to be his nightmare. In road games he had to stay at home and after ten games he was taken off the roster. Ciriaco Sforza – In summer he thought about the Champions League, now 2.Bundesliga threatens. First he had to give away the number 10 at Bayern, then Bayern gave him away. The return of Ciriaco Sforza (32) to Kaiserslautern was not lucky. Questioned as key figure, top performer and even more as future sports director. Jan Simak – Until now everything is a 6.5 M misunderstanding. And signs for an improvement are not in sight. Jan Simak (24) is isolated, stays silent and bad on the pitch. Reiner Calmund demands help for him. Whether he is willing to take it? Marc Wilmots – He was playing a strong WC for Belgium. Since then the injury reports of Marc Wilmots (33) are growing, he even was close to the career end. His stats: eight games, no goals, no assists. Because of the injuries he has lacking fitness. At the season end he quits his career and becomes politician in Belgium.